Poorna Vidya
(Report on the progress of this project November'04 to July'05)

ASHA Chennai Projects
Poorna Vidya- Working with the Chennai Corporation School in Zone 10

February 1, 2006
Questions? 
Contact Lakshmi Suryanarayanan 
surlak@vsnl.net
Please see the report for Aug 2005- Dec 2005 below the Nov-July report
August 10, 2005
Questions? 
Contact Lakshmi Suryanarayanan 
surlak@vsnl.net

 

Recall : 

  • The project has two Asha teachers- Amudha and Dhanalakshmi E.

  • The children underwent an evaluation from asha and the competency based assessment was made on a five point scale. The asha volunteers at Chennai were happy with such an assessment pattern and wished to do similar assessments in other projects.

  • Feed back was given to the teachers and headmistress and it was recived with understanding. The headmistress immediately identified the areas that needed remediation.

  • Music classes were being conducted through Brihadwani. The school required a microphone for its classes

  • Pitts Macdonald Lodge funded the project systematically and always on time. Mr. Vijaykumar through whom the project is run promised to support the project in 2005-2006.

 

The happenings from November 2004- July 2005

  • The tsunami affected children of the school and their families were supported through the State Bank of India Besant nagar Branch. We have supported some of the very affected families under Asha Chennai Support-A-Family project. The headmistress and teachers were very actively involved in identifying these families.

  • Mr. Vijayakumar has maintained support for the project for the academic year 2005-2006. We thank him for that. Poorna Vidya is now funded by India International Children’s Fund.

  • The school ended the academic year on a high note. One of the students trained in sloka recitation by the Brihadwani teacher won interschool competition. This is considered a great step forward for children from their backgrounds because it breaks the myth that these children cannot sing or recite very clearly and beautifully.

  • The Corporation of Chennai extended the Activity based learning programme to Class III from June 2005. Preparation in the form of materials was given from the corporation and the school set up was modified to suit the changes by the corporation authorities. Asha Chennai has added value by providing a few more storage trays and laminating the cards so that the teachers in the school will be better facilitated. The corporation of Chennai’s approach to their schools is very positive towards child centric education. 


  • The new academic year began on June 2, 2005 as in all other schools. A small percentage of children had to leave the school due to family displacement to other areas after the Tsunami.

  • The status of the school enrollment as on Aug 1, 2005 is as follows-

Std  Boys  Girls  Total class strength Remarks
I 24 28 52 All new children
II 21 24 45 3 new children
III 21 21 42 4 new children
IV 26 29 55 5 new children
V 18 26 44 4 new children
Total 110 128 238  

It is commendable that the school has been attracting a quite a number of new students. The improvement in the school environment seems to be well appreciated in the neighbourhood.

  • About the children who passed out from the school in April 2005
    34 (20 boys and 14 girls)have got admission and joined the neighbourhood (govt.) Arignar Anna higher Secondary School, 
    4 (2boys and 2 girls) have joined the Corporation Higher Secondary School Gandhigramam
    1 girl has joined the Avai Home School
    3 children especially talented in singing (2 boys and 1girl who won the first place in the sloka recitation competition) have joined the Kalakshetra school, where they will be able to continue improving their talents
    3 children have been admitted to schools outside the city.
    Details of about 5 children is not available

  • Dhanalakshmi E has gone on maternity leave since 9/08/05. Ms. Yashoda was appointed in mid July so that she could take over from Dhanalakshmi in time. Yashoda has done so with ease and confidence. So we have been able to maintain the continuity with our work in the school

 

What needs to be done in Aug 2005.

  • The mics that have been arranged need to be fixed. The required wiring needs to be done. We will be completing the work in 2 week’s time.

  • The making of evaluation sheets for the next halfyear is underway. Will be checked with the school teachers before implementation

  • This time it is proposed that the school teachers and the asha teachers handle the correction of papers and come up with the rating and interpretations

 

 

Poorna Vidya 
Report on the progress of this project July 2005 to Dec 2005

The happenings from July 2005 to Dec2005

  • Uniforms were supplied to the children newly admitted to the school in Class 1 mainly and also in other classes. Cost Rs 15750 for 68 children

  • The microphones have been fixed. 

  • The children underwent an evaluation from Asha in November 2005 and the competency based assessment has been made on a five point scale. This time the evaluation sheets were conducted by Amuda and Yashoda. The evaluation was done by Dhanalakshmi.

  • Ms Amudha has gone on leave. She has been married in Dec 2005. 

  • As the students had a number of holidays in December Yasodha was moved out to project First step at Nochinagar (as she is trained in balwadi teaching).

  • Brihadwani singing classes were did not happen in October November as the teacher was unwell. The classes have resumed in December 

  • The Lions Club has adjudged the school one of the best corporation schools in the city as part of the Teachers’ day celebrations. The school received a shield for an award.

  • The corporation of Chennai has identified this school for supply of computers for fun learning and hands on experiences on the computer. 6 small computers with programmes for children including educational games have been given to the school and installed. The corporation has supplied the required furniture and fittings

 

What needs to be done 

  • A wooden box has to be made to get the mics fixed

  • The reports have to be studied in detail in comparison with 2004-2005 and discussed with the teachers at the school and then feed back given to Asha Chennai

  • The meeting of Asha Chennai on the third Saturday is planned to be held at the school so that all volunteers will get to see the school and interact with the teachers.